A review on the reproduction and breeding biotechnology of clownfish (Amphiprion sp.) as a laboratory model species

Anemones are beautiful and unique fish from the Ovalentaria order, the Pomacentridae family, and the Pomacentrinae subfamily, which are distributed with 30 different species in the waters of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Anemones have quickly become one of the most popular ornamental fish due to many biological characteristics, including small size, tendency to small territories, sexual dimorphism, sequential hermaphroditism, high reproductive frequency, visual appeal, ease of spawning and adaptation to the captive environment. They became marine, which is very valuable for ecological, scientific, and commercial purposes. They were the first fish in coral areas that were successfully reproduced in captivity, although their commercial breeding has always been accompanied by challenges, and success in this regard depends on compliance with the technical rules of production, especially increasing the survival rate of newborns. The development of appropriate breeding and breeding methods at the scale of laboratory research is of great value to scientists interested in using anemones as a model organism. Therefore, in this article, the biotechnological rules of the production of these fish, including broodstock breeding system, breeding and maintenance of broodstock, diet, spawning bed, common larval rearing systems, breeding method without broodstock care, and other relevant practical points were discussed based on the latest scientific findings.